Power losing streak now at 6

GREENSBORO, N.C. — West Virginia’s early 2-0 lead didn’t hold up as the Greensboro Grasshoopers stormed back for a 5-2 win to stretch the Power losing streak to six games in a row Friday night at NewBridge Bank Park.

The Power (8-8 second half, 28-56 overall) got on the board in the top of the first when an Edwin Espinal’s RBI grounder scored JaCoby Jones. In the third inning, Jones smashed his 10th home run of the season to put West Virginia on top 2-0.

Greensboro (12-4, 56-30) got even in the bottom of the third on Avery Romero’s two-run single, then took the lead in the four on JT Riddle’s RBI single. The Grasshoppers scored twice more in the seventh on a Chad Wallach sacrifice fly and an RBI single by Kentrell Dewitt.

Power starter Justin Topa (3-5) was charged with the loss, allowing three runs (one earned) in 3 1/3 innings while Sean Townsley (4-2) earned the victory and Tyler Kinley notched his fifth save.

Danny Collins posted his third three-hit performance of the season and Jones went 2 for 4 for the Power.

The teams meet again tonight, with Cody Dickson starting for the Power against the Grasshoppers’ Ryan Newell.

The Power will return to Appalachian Power Park Thursday to host Greensboro for four games.